Uludag Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (UYMSIB) have started work on exporting the famous Bursa Black fig, with the aim to generate close to €46 million. Having seen huge interest in the black fig from European companies, permission to export the figs to the USA is also expected.
Queen Elizabeth II enjoying tasting the Bursa Black fig during a visit to Turkey in May 2014. Then, during Duchess Kate Middleton’s pregnancy, the figs were suggested to help with her nausea. The English Royal family’s interest in the Bursa Black fig helped to promote the product internationally and ensured record high foreign sales. Exports of the fig which can only be grown in Bursa, have increased in the last 5 years from almost €25 million to €40 million, and export unions are now working on the removal of 21 tons of exports.
The black fig assessment panel under the leadership of the UYMSIB was recently held at the Uludag Exporters' Union (UIB) Conference Hall.
Delivering the opening speech of the panel, UYMSIB Chairman Arif Guney, stated that Bursa Black figs are one of Bursa’s most precious agricultural brands and black figs have taken 4th place in Turkey's overall fruit exports. In 2014 approximately 18 thousand tons of exports, with a value of €40 million were made.
Guney notes that most exports have been made to EU countries, “In the last 5 years we have exported the most Bursa Black figs to Germany, an amount of more than 5,000 tons. 3,000 tons were exported to Russia, 2,000 tons to England, followed by France with 1,900 tons and 1,400 tons to the Netherlands,” he said.
Arif Guney underlines that fig production takes place over 3 months, August, September and October; during these 3 months Turkey produces 275,000 tons putting the country first in the world rankings for fig production.
Adding that competition in the global fresh fruit and vegetable sector is fierce, Guney states that manufacturers need to be careful in regards to the plant growth regulator Ethephon and its residue, which has created a huge risk in terms of exports in recent years. Work is ongoing for the permission to export the Bursa Black fig to the USA and the biggest obstacle preventing the issuing of the permit is the use of the plant growth regulator.
